🇳🇱 The Complete Crypto Tax Guide for The Netherlands in 2025

📌 Introduction

The Netherlands takes a unique approach to crypto taxation. The Dutch tax authority, Belastingdienst, treats most crypto holdings as assets that form part of a taxpayer’s “Box 3” wealth tax calculation, meaning investors are taxed on their total investment holdings on January 1st of each year. If you are an active trader or earn crypto through business or work-related activities, you may be subject to income tax instead.

Classification for Tax Purposes: Cryptocurrencies are considered assets (“bezittingen”) and are generally taxed under Box 3: Savings and Investments.

Scope of Guide: This guide covers how to calculate and pay taxes on your crypto holdings in The Netherlands in 2025. We will explain the Netherlands’ Box 3 system in detail, go over what it means depending on your individual circumstances, and offer tips and tricks for reducing your tax liability.

📅 Reporting and Deadlines

• Tax Year: January 1 – December 31

• Filing Deadline: Usually May 1 of the following year (may be extended to September 1 upon request).

• Reporting Platform: File online using the Mijn Belastingdienst portal via your DigiD account. Crypto assets are reported in the Box 3 section of your income tax return.

💼 Crypto Tax Basics

No transactions are required in order to incur capital gains tax in the Netherlands. The only thing that matters is your total portfolio balance at the end of the year, which is taxed at a notional rate that is decided each year by the government. For example, the government may deem all assets in traditional savings accounts are taxed at 1%, while all investments are taxed at 5%.

Taxable Transactions

• Using Crypto for Goods/Services: Transactions are not specifically taxable, but if you use crypto to pay for goods or services, the fair market value of the tokens at the time of the transaction is included in your end-of-year portfolio calculation.

• Earning Crypto (Mining/Staking/Airdrops/Work):

  • If you received crypto as payment for work, business, or services, it is taxed under Box 1 (Income from work or business) as regular income.

  • If mining or staking is a hobby, the value is taxed as part of Box 3 (wealth).

  • All crypto earned through professional activities is taxed under Box 1 as self-employed income.

Non-Taxable Transactions

• Purchasing Crypto with Fiat: Not taxable.

• Transferring Between Your Own Wallets: Not taxable, but holdings are still reported as assets in Box 3.

• Small Gifts: Gifts below certain thresholds may be exempt, but larger gifts are subject to the Dutch gift tax.

Deducting Losses

• Box 3 Losses: Losses or decreases in crypto value are not deductible from your taxable income.

• Box 1 (Professional traders): Losses may be deductible if crypto trading is considered your business or regular profession.

Key Allowances and Thresholds

• Box 3 Exemption: In 2025, the first €57,000 of combined assets (including crypto, cash, stocks, etc.) per person is exempt from wealth tax. For tax partners, this is €114,000.

• Gift Tax Exemption: Annual exemption of €6,633 (2025) for gifts to children; €2,658 for others. Above this, gift tax applies.

Unique Tax Laws

• The Box 3 system is unique: it taxes you on a notional (“deemed”) return on your net assets (including crypto), not on actual realized gains or income (unless you are a trader or earn via business activities).

💸 Income Tax Brackets (2025)

Overview

The Netherlands uses a progressive tax system with three main “boxes.” Most taxpayers only need to worry about Box 1 (income from work/home) and Box 3 (savings and investments).

Box 1: Income from Work and Home

Box 3: Wealth (Including Crypto)

Instead of a traditional capital gains tax, Box 3 taxes a notional return, meaning the value at the end of the year, minus the value from the beginning of the year:

• Exemption: First €57,000 per individual is tax-free.

• Taxed on net assets (assets minus debts).

• Actual tax rate on the deemed return: 36%

📈 Calculating Your Box 3 Tax Obligation

One advantage of the Netherlands’ unique approach to taxes is that calculating your tax obligation is straightforward.

To calculate your tax liability:

1. Determine the total value of all of your investments (crypto, stocks, savings accounts) as of January 1.

2. Minus the value of your investments on January 1 of the prior year.

3. Subtract debts above the allowed minimum (debts under €3,400 not deductible).

4. Apply the Box 3 exemption (€57,000 per person).

5. Apply the notional (“deemed”) return rate set by the government.

6. Tax the notional return at 36%.

Professional traders or those trading as a business must report gains/losses in Box 1 as income or business profits.

💰 Income Tax on Cryptocurrency

Taxable Income Sources

• Mining Rewards:

  • If regular/professional: taxed in Box 1 as income from work/business.

  • If hobby: taxed as part of Box 3 assets.

• Staking, Lending, Liquidity Rewards:

  • Professional or regular activity: Box 1.

  • Occasional or hobby: Box 3.

• Airdrops:

  • Box 1 if linked to work/business; otherwise, Box 3.

• Payments for Goods/Services:

  • Taxed as income (Box 1) for freelancers/businesses.

Calculation Method

1. Value crypto at the moment of receipt (in euros, based on fair market value).

2. Add to the relevant box (Box 1 for income, Box 3 for assets).

3. Subtract allowable expenses for box 1 assets.

4. Apply the applicable thresholds and rates.

🔍 Tax Treatment of Specific Crypto Transactions

Mining and Staking

• Occasional/Hobby: Include the value in Box 3 assets.

• Professional Activity: Income at receipt taxed in Box 1; further gains/losses upon sale taxed as business income.

Airdrops and Hard Forks

• Airdrops: Taxable as income in Box 1 if linked to professional activity; otherwise, part of Box 3 assets.

• Hard Forks: New coins are valued at receipt and taxed as income if considered business; otherwise, Box 3.

NFTs

• Sales: Value of NFTs included in Box 3 assets; profits not taxed at point of sale for individuals.

• Creators: Income from initial sales taxed in Box 1 as self-employed income.

DeFi Activities

• Earnings: Taxed as income in Box 1 for business activity, otherwise part of Box 3.

• Token Sales: No direct capital gains tax for most, but value at January 1 included in Box 3.

Lost or Stolen Crypto

• Rules: Crypto lost or stolen may be deducted from your assets for Box 3 if you can prove permanent loss (provide evidence such as a police report, technical proof, etc.).

Gifting and Inheritance

• Gifting: Subject to gift tax if over the exemption amount (€6,633 for gifts from parents to children; €2,658 for others).

• Inheritance: Crypto is part of the deceased’s estate and subject to inheritance tax.

🧾 Using Crypto Tax Software

While calculating your tax obligation is relatively straightforward, crypto tax software can significantly reduce your workload by automatically tallying the value of your crypto portfolio, and categorizing all of your assets according to Box 1 or Box 3 classification.

Awaken’s Balance Report makes it easy to find your end-of-year crypto portfolio balance in as little as 10-15 minutes of setting up your account.

• Benefits:

  • Accurate tracking of your crypto portfolio.

  • Automatic calculation of January 1 value.

  • Organizes data for Box 3 and Box 1 reporting.

• Features to Look For:

  • Integration with Dutch banks/exchanges.

  • Support for multi-wallet tracking.

  • Detailed reporting for Box 3 and Box 1.

• Compatibility:

  • Export data for use with Mijn Belastingdienst.

• Support Resources:

  • Customer support, FAQ, and how-to guides.

💡 Reducing Crypto Taxes Legally

• Spread assets between partners and children (via gifts) to maximize exemptions. 

• Pay down debts to reduce net wealth.

• Gift assets within tax-free thresholds before January 1.

• Keep detailed records in case of audits or loss claims.

• Consider professional advice if you have significant assets or a crypto-related business.

No tax loss harvesting is available in Box 3 for private individuals.

✅ Conclusion

• Compliance and Recordkeeping: Always keep accurate records of your crypto holdings and transactions.

• Consultation: When in doubt, consult the Belastingdienst’s official crypto guidance page or a Dutch tax professional.

• Stay Updated: Crypto tax regulations can change, so always check the latest guidance before filing.

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always consult with a tax professional for your specific situation.